Meanwhile, despite finding first-team opportunities hard to come by at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent times, Kaka still finds himself in fourth spot (£66.5m), with Ronaldinho (£63m) just behind in fifth.

Each player's net worth was calculated based on salary, endorsements and assets, as well as taking outside business interests into consideration.

Beckham emerged comfortably on top in spite of the fact he will not earn a penny at PSG in terms of salary - which is being donated to a local children's charity - image rights or merchandising.

Commenting on the results Amar Singh, Managing Editor of Goal said: "The world's top footballers can no longer be regarded as just athletes - they are major international brands and David Beckham is the biggest brand of them all.

"Our findings show just how much wealth footballers are able to accumulate by leveraging this. Far from the bling-loving, sports car-collecting stereotypes, the vast majority of footballers on the Goal Rich List are putting their money to positive use by setting up charitable foundations or funding community initiatives.”

Alex Miller, editor of the Goal Rich List, added: "The wealth David Beckham has accumulated and continues to earn is testament to his continued appeal, because while Beckham’s retirement from the game edges ever closer, his phenomenal earning power shows no sign of slowing down."